Automatic air operated bar turner



Jan. 19, 1954 Q qg sc 2,666,534

AUTOMATIC AIR OPERATED BAR TURNER Filed Aug. 20', 1948 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 19, 1954 PIETSCH 2,666,534

AUTOMATIC AIR OPERATED BAR TURNER Filed Aug. 20, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 19, 1954 c, p scl- 2,666,534

AUTOMATIC AIR OPERATED BAR TURNER Filed Aug. 20, 1948 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A/ fi i Patented Jan. 19, 1954 AUTOMATIC AIR OPERATED BAR TURNER Leonard C. Pietsch, Gary, Ind., assignor to Inland Steel Company, a corporation of Delaware Application August 20, 1948, Serial No. 45,378

V V I 7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to turningapparatus,

and more particularly to apparatus for automatically turning a moving bar.

. In manyapplications insteel mills'and other factories it is necessary to turn hot large bars .which are diflicult to handle, and which must often be turned while theyare moving through the mill. The invention provides a novel apparatusfor automatically turning a moving bar, as for example rotating 2. hot rolled steel bar through an angle of 90. degrees so that the bar is on one edge in proper position for entry into a rolling mill.

a The invention will be described as related to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the bar turning apparatus;

Fig. 2 is an end view looking from the bottom of the sheet in Fig. 1;

Fig. Bis an enlarged fragmentary transverse section along the line 3-3 of- Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section along the line -d of Fig. l; and

Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram of the electrical operating means.

Referring to the drawings the apparatus comprises essentially motor means designated generally as A; a frame designated generally as B; a drum structure designated generally as C; a rack designated generally as D operatively connecting said motor means and drum; and means designated generally as E for actuating said motor means as a function of movement of the bar which is to be turned.

The motor means A preferably comprises an air motor, as for example a motor which may be commercially obtained under the name of Hanna Model 48B. This motor comprises a cylinder Ii) having therein a recip'rocablepiston as is conventional, which piston operates a piston rod l I. In the particular commercially obtainable vair motor referred to above the cylinder has a diameter of six inches and the piston has, a 16%}; inch stroke. The rack D comprises a relatively long bar i2 which is coupled to the piston rod by a coupling member [3 and which has in its upper surface a plurality of rack teeth 12a.

The rack l2 reciprocates with the piston rod and is supported upon rollers i 5 and It which are mounted in brackets i1 and I8, respectively, on a base block it, longitudinal movement of the rack 1?; being limited by stops 12b and I20 affixed to the under side of the bar l2.

' A box-like frame B of rectangular transverse cross section encloses the rack as shown, the long dimension of the frame extending longitudinally of the rack l2. The frame comprises a base 29 and spaced corner-posts, as the'posts 2| and 22 which support spaced longitudinally extending upper frame members 23 and 24. These members have undercut channels 23a and 24a opening into the top of. each member and the upper surface of each member has a plurality of regularly spaced notches 25.

The drum structure C comprises a housing 30 which carries three trunnions 3 I 32 and 33, these trunnions rotatably supporting a drum 34 within the housing 35!. The drum is rotatable about a horizontal axis transverse of the longitudinal axis of the rack I 2. At opposite sides the housing has flanges 30a and 38b, respectively, these flanges having projections machined on their undersides adapted to fit into the notches so that the drum housing may be immovably supported on the frame. Near each corner the flanges a, and 3619 are openings and bolts 36, the heads of which are slidable in the channels 23a and 24a in the frame members, prevent the drum housing from being lifted from the frame members, these bolts being slotted as shown at a in Fig. 3 and the drum housing being secured on the bolts by means of keys 3% which extend through the slots.

A portion of the periphery of the drum has teeth S lo thereon as shown in Fig. 4, and these teeth mesh with theteeth l2a on the rack [2. Since the housing is immovable on the frame during operation, longitudinal movement of the rack l2 will cause the drum 34 to rotate within the housing. A framework 31 within the drum provides a support for guide apparatus 38, this guide apparatus being so formed that it defines a channel similar in cross sectional shape to the bar but slightly larger. Preferably the guide apparatus is held in the frame 3'! by means of set screws that it can be readily removed from the drum, and replaced by other guide apparatus. As best seen in Fig. 4 the channel illustrated is substantially rectangular and one corner of the channel closely coincides with the axis of rotation of the drum 34 so that the bar rotates about the axis of the drum.

It may further be seen in Fig. 4 that the notches 25 in the frame which supports the drum housing are spaced from each other proportionately to the spacing of the teeth l2a in the rack D, in the apparatus shown the space between consecutive notches being three times the space between consecutive teeth. With this construction the drum housing may be moved longitudinally of the frame merely by removing the keys 36b and lifting the housing relative to the bolts 36 so that the projections on the drum housing are out of the notches 25. The drum housing and bolts may then be slid to a different position longitudinally of the rack and the apparatus reassembled..- With the proportional spacing of the notches 25 and the teeth iZa as shown, the drum may be moved on the frame longitudinally of the rack between a plurality of points and the drum teeth 34a will mesh with the rack teeth at allof said points without rotation of the drum so that the channel defined by the guides 38 will retain the same angular position regardless of the position of the drum housing on the frame.

The means E for actuating the motor as a roll is released and the counterweight causes the yoke to move to its normal position so that the switch 45 is allowed to .open under the action of function of movement of the bar to be turned comprise an idler roll 40 extending transversely of the path of movement of the bar through the channel in the drum. A yoke M supports the idler roll 40, said yoke being pivotally mounted on a stud 42 carried in brackets 43 which are aflixed to a portion of the frame of the apparatus. The yoke is biased by a counterweight 44 secured to its bottom portion so that the yoke normally supports said roll in the path of movement of the bar to be turned, and the yoke has an actuating arm portion did at its lower end. Stop brackets Mb limit the pivotal movement of the yoke under the influence of the counterweight. A normally open microswitch as is mounted in such position that it is free of the actuating arm Main the normal position of the apparatus, but is engaged and closed by said actuating arm in the event the idler roll is depressed. This microswitch is shown in Fig. 2 and the operating circuit for the air motor is shown schematically in Fig. 5.

Referring to Fig. 5 the normally open microswitch 45 is shown in series with a solenoid 48 in a circuit which may be connected to a com mercial source of current, as for example, 110 volt, 25 cycle alternating current. Obviously when the idler roll is depressed and the switch 45 is closed, the solenoid wili be energized and when the idlerroll is released so that the switch opens under the influence of its actuating spring 45a which is mounted in the switch box, the solenoid is de-energized.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 the solenoid 48 controls a 4-way valve 41 which is not shown in detail since such valves are conventional and are I Well known to the art. This valve may be a inch solenoid controlled valve having an intake Fa, an exhaust ilb, and feed lines to each side of the air motor piston, these feed lines being designated as 410 and 41d, respectively. Whenever the valve is actuated by energization of the solenoid 46 air is delivered to the rear or drive end of the air motor cylinder and the piston in the cylinder is driven by this air and moves the rack l2 to cause the drum to rotate. The spacing of the drum teeth and rack teeth and the mvement of the rackwithin the limits-defined by the stops l 21) and its provide for rotation of the drum through a 90 degree angle, this rotation being clockwise as the parts appear in Fig. 4. When the idler roller is released from engagement with the moving bar and the counterweighted end of the yoke moves the actuating arm tic out'of engagement with the switch 45 the solenoid is tie-energized and the valve reverses its action and delivers air to the opposite end of the air motor cylinder, this action returning the piston to its original position and moving the parts back to the position shown in Fig. 4.-.

In the operation of the apparatus a bar, as for example, a hot rolled bar which is about to enter a rolling mill, moves through the channel defined by the guides in the drum. Since the idler roll 40 is normally in the path of movement of the bar the roll will be depressed by the bar, closing the circuit of Fig. and operating the vaive as above described and the bar will be rotated through an arc of 90 degrees about the axis of the drum. As the moving bar, which is now turned on its edge, leaves the apparatus the idler the spring 45a, and the solenoid operated 4-way valve 47 reverses as above described to return the drum and rack to the position of Fig. 4.

At least four important advantages are achieved through the use of the apparatus disclosed here. One advantage is found in the simple positive construction or" the apparatus. The guides 38 which are inserted in the drum fit the bar and require no adjustment or alteration during continued operation, and at no time are adjustments necessary in order to insure that the bars will be turned on edge during the course of their movement.

Another advantage is obtained through the construction which permits the apparatus to be readily adjusted'to a variet of positions horizontally, as may be required for example in making various passes across the barrel of a roll. As earlierdescribed, the housing 38 is machined to fit into the notches of the rack and is anchored in place by means of key bolts 36. If it is desired to move the apparatus horizontally it is only necessary to release the key bolts and move the housing laterally to any desired position on the frame. At any point along the frame the drum teeth and rack teeth will mesh without rotating the drum so that the channel within the drum will be in proper position to receive a bar. It will be noted from an inspection of Fig. 1 that the roll -16 is wider than the drum in a direction longitudinal of the rack so that the switch45 will be actuated regardless of the position of the drum on the frame.

Another advantage obtained is the ready adaptability of the apparatus to operate with any number of different sized and shaped bars. The guide apparatus 38, as earlier described, is readily removable from the frame 3'! and any number of different shaped channels may be provided by substituting diiferent guides.

Still a further advantage found in this apparatus is the ability to reverse the action of the device. Again by simply releasing the key bolts that'anchor the housing as to the frame and turning the housing around on the frame the action of the apparatus is reversed and in this position a bar will be turned from a vertical or edge position to a horizontal position.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom.

I claim:- V

1,. Apparatus of the character described for automatically turning a longitudinally moving bar, comprising: a frame secured in fixed position; a supporting drum rotatably mounted on said frame, said drum being adapted to slidably support the moving bar while it is being turned without affecting its forward movement, and said drum having teeth on its periphery; an air motor; a solenoid for controlling said motor; a rack connected to said motor and movable longitudinally upon operation thereof, said rack having teeth meshing with the teeth on the periphery of said drum for rotating said drum through an arc of degrees upon operation of said motor to turn said bar about its longitudinal axis; said frame having a portion with a plurality of notches spaced proportionately to the teeth in said rack and said drum having projections engaging said notches, said drum being movable on said frame longitudinally of said rack between a plurality of points and said drum teeth meshing with said rack teeth at all of said points without rotation of said drum; and means for actuating said motor as a function of movement of said bar, said actuating means including a switch controlling the energization of said solenoid and a switch-operating member located adjacent said drum and normally in the path of movement of said bar, said member being engaged by said bar as it slides through said drum and moved thereby to operate said switch, said motor being arranged to rotate said drum to its original position upon release of said switch-operating member from engagement with said bar after said bar has passed through said drum.

2. Apparatus of the character described for automatically turning a bar which is continuously moving along its longitudinal axis, comprising: a frame secured in fixed position; a supporting drum rotatably mounted on said frame, said drum having teeth on its periphery; guide apparatus in said drum for supporting said bar for continuous sliding movement through said drum in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said drum, said guide apparatus defining a channel through said drum with cross sectional dimensions slightly larger than the transverse cross sectional dimensions of said bar, and said guide apparatus being readily removably mounted in said drum; an air motor; a solenoid for controlling said motor; a rack connected to said motor and movable longitudinally upon operation thereof, said rack having teeth meshing with the teeth on the periphery of said drum for rotating said drum through an arc of 90 degrees upon operation of said motor to turn said bar about its longitudinal axis; said frame having a portion with a plurality of notches spaced proportionally to the teeth in said rack and said drum having projections engaging said notches, said drum being movable on said frame longitudinally of said rack between a plurality of points and said drum teeth meshing with said rack teeth at all of said points without rotation of said drum; and apparatus for actuating said motor as a function of movement of said bar as it moves through said drum, said actuating apparatus comprising an idler roll extending transversely of the path of movement of said bar adjacent said drum and being wider than said drum in a direction longitudinal of said rack, a yoke supporting said member said yoke being pivotally mounted and biased normally to support said roll in the path of movement of said bar and said yoke having an actuating arm, and a switch for energizing said solenoid, said switch being adapted to be engaged by said arm upon depression of said member by said moving bar, said motor being arranged to rotate said drum to its original position upon release of said switch-operating member from engagement with said bar.

3. Apparatus of the character claimed in claim 1 2, wherein said channel is substantially rectangular and one corner of said channel closely coincides with the axis of rotation of said drum, said bar rotating about the axis of said drum.

4. In combination, a bar, means for moving said bar horizontally along its longitudinal axis, means for turning said bar without affecting said longitudinal movement including a member rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the bar, guide means associated therewith and of the same cross-sectional shape as the bar, means in 6 the path of the bar for actuating the turning means, and means for securing said turning means in a plurality of different positions in a line extending in a horizontal plane and in a direction transverse to the line of movement of the bar.

5. In combination, a bar, means for moving the bar along its longitudinal axis, means for turning said bar without affecting its longitudinal movement including a drum rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the bar and a rack movable horizontally in a direction transverse of the line of movement of said bar, said drum having teeth on its periphery engaging said rack, guide means within said drum for slidably supporting said bar, means in the path of the bar for actuating the turning means, and means for securing said drum in a plurality of different positions in a line extending in a horizontal plane and in a direction transverse to the line of movement of the bar, said drum teeth meshing with the teeth on said rack at all of said positions without rotation of said drum.

6. An automatic bar turner, comprising: a frame having a generally horizontal upper surface with a plurality of notches therein, a housing mounted on the upper surface of the frame and having portions to be received in said notches for seating the housing in selected positions along said upper surface, a drum rotatably mounted in said housing and carrying a bar turning member for receiving a bar, teeth on the periphery of the drum, a rack movably mounted in a track generally parallel to the upper surface of the frame and having teeth meshing with the teeth on the drum for rotating the drum upon movement of the rack, the notches in said frame upper surface and the teeth on said rack being proportionally spaced whereby the housing may be placed in diiferent positions on the frame with the teeth on the drum and rack meshing and the drum retaining its same angular position.

7. An automatic bar turner, comprising: a frame having a generally horizontal upper surface with at least one notch therein; a housing mounted on the upper surface of the frame and having a portion to be received in said notch for seating the housing on said upper surface; a drum rotatably mounted in said housing and carrying a bar turning member for receiving a bar, said member having a rectangular opening with one corner of the opening being substantially coincidental with the axis of rotation of the drum; peripheral teeth on said drum; a motor powered rack in mesh with the drum teeth for rotating the drum; and motor actuating means responsive to passage of a bar through the bar turning member to initiate turning of the drum about its axis and turning of the bar about one corner thereof.

LEONARD C. PIETSCH.

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